Creativity So the Apple / Beats deal was all about culture and creativity? Great panel at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity featuring Kanye West, Ben Horowitz and Steve Stoute discussing creativity and culture.
Business Quick thoughts on the Apple and Beats deal [update] Only two reasons I can see for Apple wanting to aquire Beats: Jimmy Iovine & Dre. The subscription deals Iovine did with the labels.
Technology Why I hope Uber crushes the Aussie taxi business A recent trip to Australia is why I support Uber in breaking the monopolistic taxi industry. Here's my experience.
Tunes Listening to Since I Left You by The Avalanches The greatest Australian album of all time? You've gotta listen to the entire recording — no cherry-pickin' songs. DJ Dexter is pure genius.
Music Business The truth about doing business with the music business Turntable.fm recently pivoted to some sort of live event platform for musicians. Here's what to expect when doing business with the music business.
Creativity Aningaaq, the other side of Gravity At the end of the film Gravity, Sandra Bullock's character communicates with a person on Earth. Here's the other side of that conversation.
Music Business Does file-sharing account for less than 10% of US net traffic? Digital Music News ran a story this week suggesting that because "file-sharing now accounts for less than 10% of US internet traffic ... file-sharing volumes are also plunging." But does it?
Business Is writing down lyrics ripping off an artist? The rights industries are better equipped to deal with fair use exploits, scholarly research and other similar defenses for monetizing copyright works. Is Rap Genius immune?
Business Are app devs now facing the musician's dilemma? For more than 15 years I made a living in the copyright industries. A great frustrated is listening to those who complain that a $10 ebook costs too much, or that a 99 cent song is too expensive, while simultaneously burning $100 on a boozy night out.
Tunes Listening to Monsters OST by Jon Hopkins I. Love. This. Record. Good movie too, with a narrative about alienation, foreigners and building walls to keep them out.
Tunes Listening to Acoustic Reflections by Steven Price Ambient, spacy chill for late night coding or relaxation. You may know Steven Price's work as composer of film scores for Gravity, Aningaaq and many others.
Tunes Listening to The Fat of the Land by The Prodigy One of the best ‘big beat’ records of the era that 15+ years after release still sounds incredible. A flawless recording.
Startup A Startup World Cool infographic of the 20 hottest startup scenes around the world. Check out where your city ranks.
Marketing Banksy and his special place for Advertisers I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
Technology Adobe drops ownership for access model subscription Adobe is killing off its Creative Suite as it moves to the cloud. The future is here and the naysayers are wrong.
An app for developing an app business There is now an App for developing an App business—it’s not a bubble. It’s. Not. A. Bubble.
Music Business The music biz doesn't have a technology problem The music business needs to re-write their business models in a world without borders.
Music Business Ticketing just got really interesting #AB329 The concert ticketing is broken for consumers. Does Tickermaster really want to give consumers a "better chance"?
Bill Gates feels sorry for Peter Thiel I feel sorry for Peter Thiel. Did he really want flying cars? Flying cars are not a very efficient way to move things from one point to another. On the other hand, 20 years ago we had the idea that information could become available at your fingertips.
Tunes Listening to Inspiration Information by Shuggie Otis Wow! Seriously funky soul from 1974. Shuggie Otis is currently on tour.
The purpose of education > In some ways, the education system has become a substitute for thinking about the future. You go to school, and what do you do after high school? Don't know, I'll go to college. What do you do after college? Don't know, I'
Tunes Listening to Fight the Power by Public Enemy Unfortunately Fear of a Black Planet isn’t on Spotify, so Fight the Power from this Def Jam compilation will work. Great song, fantastic recording.
Music Business Wondering where the record labels' $24bn went? It's 2003 and Apple launches the iTunes Music Store. The un-bundling of the album format that started with Napster in 1999 has become official. The then ~$40 billion record music industry is on its way to ~$16bn within a decade.